It’s time that scientists in India become pioneers in innovation and technology development, said former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, on Tuesday.

It’s time that scientists in India become pioneers in innovation and technology development, said former president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, on Tuesday.

“India’s present growth has been achieved based on patents generated elsewhere sometime ago as well as innovations and technology development elsewhere,” said Kalam speaking at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research’s second Foundation Day lecture. “Research now must be national, especially in basic science to be able to meet global competitiveness.”

Addressing scientists and students at the Homi Bhabha auditorium, Kalam said the institute with its “rich heritage” in research, basic sciences and technology research can help in upgrading the country’s growth and prosperity.

Emphasising the need for green energy, Kalam said the scientists should focus on moon-based solar power or space power that is non-polluting.

“We should work on safe transmission of solar power from outer space to earth for human habitation. The earth, moon and mars are not separate entities but strategic entities for humanity,” he added.

Kalam, who was presented a model of ASTROSAT, India’s first multi wavelength astronomy satellite, later said it will be launched in April 2011 on board the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. Out of the five science payloads for the satellite, three X-ray instruments are developed by TIFR.